For cat lovers only
Columbians save cats on St. John's Island
Contributed by Project Pet

Laura Thackton and Juanita Wright of Project Pet take care of cats while vacationing on St. John's Island.

To begin the new year, a group of friends, all members of Project Pet, traveled to the Caribbean and helped the locals save lives of homeless cats.

As soon as they arrived at St. John's Island, they noticed cats wandering everywhere. They were throughout the airport, the open- air restaurants, in the streets, and on the grounds of The Westin Hotel complex where the group stayed. The cats even followed them into the walled courtyard of their villa.

The group went to the grocery and got chicken, hamburger meat, and herring to feed the cats. They fed as many as 12 at a time.

They visited The Animal Care Center (ACC) to discuss the over- population issue on the Island.

The shelter helps all homeless pets but finds its greatest need is to reduce the large cat population as much as possible. Their main goal is to trap the cats, get them examined by a vet, tested for Feline Leukemia, spayed or neutered, de- wormed, given a distemper shot, and re- released into their birth area. The staff and funding is limited, and cats reproduce at a great rate.

Joey of the Animal Care Center (ACC) in St. John's, Laura Thackton of Project Pet, Connie of ACC, and Juanita Wright of Project Pet.

By placing feeding stations throughout St. Johns Island, cats can get fresh water, food, and have shelter when necessary. These 3'x3' wooden boxes on stilts are basic life- sustaining units. And, because of this feeding station program, many pets survive without having to be taken into a home.

The ACC is on a very small tract of land and doesn't have space to keep many cats there.The organization suffers from lack of interest by Island inhabitants because cats are so plentiful, and there are so many tourists there is little hope for adoptions.

The ACC's two staff members, Connie and Joey, lent the group a dozen traps to capture feral cats and take them to a local veterinarian, Canine Cats and Critters, to be treated.

They successfully trapped nine cats and had them examined. These nine are typical Island cats, small and black. They know their only source of regular food is from humans. The cats have never been held or touched by people, so they are afraid.

The group also met with the general manager of The Westin who agreed to allow at least one feeding station on The Westin property. With this station, The Westin cats will stay healthy, easily monitored, and available if they have a health need.

The group contacted US Airways, who allowed them to schedule transport of six cats home with them. Only six animals may travel on an airline at one time. So, they borrowed three soft- sided cat carriers from ACC and chose the six most docile cats and traveled with them back to S.C.

Two cats went home with Ben and Juanita Wright. The other four will reside at Wescott Acres Luxury Pet Resort until loving, permanent homes can be found for them. The staff at Wescott Acres is working to socialize them, and each cat is doing well.

The group improved the lives of at least a dozen cats. They were visited by the president of Animal Care Center, and thanked in person for using their vacation week to help them.